February 2026 – Helsinki Poetry Connection

Konepaja Spoken Word #2: TURNING POINTS

28. 02. 2026

Konepaja Spoken Word: TURNING POINTS
March 21, 2026

Konepaja Spoken Word is a new English-language open stage and international community for spoken word, poetry, and performance.

The second edition is organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection in collaboration with Kino Konepaja and Catalysti Association of Transcultural Artists, and produced by Vinski Valos.

This open stage welcomes poets, performers, storytellers, and experimental voices working with text, voice, movement, sound, and presence. Whether your work leans toward poetry, performance art, short fiction, monologue, or something in between or beyond, this is a space to try out new material, share ongoing processes, and connect with others working with language and performance in Helsinki.

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Following the success of the Konepaja Spoken Word, we are returning with a full Spring 2026 season! Save the dates:

March 21 (Theme: TURNING POINTS)
April 11 (Theme: TBA)
May 9 (Theme: TBA)

THEME: TURNING POINTS
Decisive moments at which a significant changes occur or decisions must be made.

You do not have to follow the theme strictly. It’s a prompt for those who choose.

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The evenings are open to both first-time performers and experienced artists. Come to perform, listen, and be part of a growing community. The focus is on sharing, experimentation, risk-taking, and live encounters. We would love to hear your words, whether carefully crafted or spontaneous. Please reserve a spot in advance and bring your creative piece to life.

(or on site, schedule permitting)

The events are held in English, but all languages are welcome on stage.

5 minutes per performance
Free admission

Sign-up: 7 PM
Start: 7:30 PM
Afterparty: 10 PM to midnight

Location: Kino Konepaja
Konepajanpasaasi
Vallila, 00510 Helsinki

Everyone is welcome.

Ruusu Open Mic #68

04. 02. 2026

We warmly welcome you to come enjoy poetry, storytelling, performance and other types of word art at Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu on the last Sundays of February, March, April and May 2026 at 5-8 PM. As usual, the evening starts with a brilliant warm up performance followed by the main act itself: you and your slot in the open mic.

You can sign up for the open mic during the first break after the performance. You’re welcome to perform your text, song or other performance in any language you wish. Instruments and devices can be hooked up to the sound system, if that’s what your performance needs and you have your copyright sorted (/free). Each slot is limited to 4 minutes so everyone has a chance—please respect the time.

Warm up acts TBA!

At the end of the evening, glorious flowers from flower shop Lutukka as well as some drink vouchers from Sörkan Ruusu will be drawn at random among all the night’s open mic’ers. So, it’s worth staying till the end to see if you’re one of the lucky ones!

We thank our longtime partner Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu and the city of Helsinki!

Ruusu Open Mic is free from discrimination. We don’t accept any racist or hateful content or behavior. Please also note that we advise performers to state content warnings regarding their poems if needed.

The main entrance of Sörkan Ruusu has a ~20cm step and 81cm-wide door. A ramp can be set up on request. The venue also has an induction loop, as well as one accessible restroom and three gender-neutral restrooms.

Free entry!

Graphic design by Matias Ahtinen.